Court fixes March 31 for hearing of Sanusi’s suit

A Federal High Court on Friday in Lagos fixed March 31 for the hearing of a fundamental rights suit filed by the suspended Central Bank Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Sanusi had filed the suit through his counsel, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo (SAN), seeking an order restraining the police and the State Security Service from arresting, detaining or harassing him.

Joined in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police and the SSS as first, second and third respondents respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicant’s motion was scheduled for hearing on Friday.

Counsel to the first respondent, Dr Fabian Ajogu (SAN), informed the court that he had a motion on notice dated March 19.

He said the motion was for extension of time to regularise filing processes.

Counsel to the third respondent, Mr Ahmed Musa, also made the same application, saying his motion was dated March 17.

However, counsel to the applicant, Chief Kola Awodehin (SAN), did not oppose the application for extension of time.

Awodehin, who said was prepared to proceed with his motion, noted that he was constrained to ask for an adjournment by the nature of applications filed by the first and third respondents.

Consequently, Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned the suit to March 31 for hearing of the applicant’s suit on the understanding that all parties would have regularised all processes before the next adjournment.

“The respondents’ motion for extension of time is granted and time is hereby extended in terms of the prayers on the face of the motion paper.

“This suit is therefore adjourned to March 31 for hearing,” he ruled.

NAN also reports that the court had on Feb. 21 granted an interim order restraining the respondents from arresting, detaining, or harassing the applicant pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The interim order was sequel to an affidavit of urgency filed by the applicant on the same date.

The court had also granted the applicant leave to serve the originating summons and other accompanying court processes on the respondents.